Welling's Jake Gallagher celebrates his equaliser against Basingstoke on Saturday. Picture: Keith Gillard

By Matthew Panting

For the second time in as many weeks, Welling midfielder Jake Gallagher scored an injury-time goal at Park View Road on Saturday.

Rather than give three points as last week's strike did against Maidenhead, Gallagher's 94th-minute effort preserved Welling's unbeaten home record and kept them top of Blue Square Bet South on goal difference.

The Wings did not deserve to win against a team who beat Salisbury in midweek but they were certainly not outplayed for long periods as they were the previous week. However, the expected second-half onslaught did not arrive and Welling eventually had to rely on Gallagher to dig them out of trouble.

Welling had made a bright start with Jack Obersteller impressing and Lee Clarke twice going close before Ross Lafayette's long-range effort was deflected wide.

Basingstoke's first moves forward saw Rob Rice blaze over and Obersteller was back in time to block Delano Sam-Yorke's low shot.

The visitors took a 44th-minute lead when referee John Busby failed to spot an infringement on keeper Sam Mott from a right-wing corner and the ball was played back in where Manny Williams' neat finish crept inside the upright.

Welling had strong appeals for a penalty three minutes into the second half when Kurtis Guthrie's long run took him past two defenders before Natahn Smart appeared to bundle him over in the box but the referee chose not to book him for diving, or give a spot-kick, pointing for a goal kick instead.

Goal kicks were to be a frustrating feature of the second half with keeper Ashley Bayes taking his time at every opportunity and the referee unwilling to clamp down on his antics. But Welling failed to create chances at their normal rate, although a couple of dangerous crosses went across the face of the goal.

Wings keeper Sam Mott saved brilliantly from David Ray with nine minutes left and then Anthony Acheampong's block denied Williams a second goal in stoppage time. Both bits of defending were to prove vital as, with 10 seconds remaining, Welling's patient passing was rewarded when Gallagher was on hand to score from inside the penalty area.

The Wings host Tonbridge Angels at Park View Road on Tuesday night.

Welling striker Kurtis Guthrie battles for possession against Basingstoke at Park View Road on Saturday. Picture: Keith Gillard